By Fatima Saka
The Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to order an immediate and transparent investigation into the alleged assault, harassment and destruction of the mobile phone of the Editor of Pinnacle Daily, Sunday Michael Ogwu, by operatives of the Lugbe Police Division in Abuja.
The coalition, in a statement issued on Thursday through the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), also urged the FCT Police Command to identify, discipline and sanction police officers and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) allegedly involved in the incident.
CWPPF alleged that Ogwu was assaulted on Wednesday, August 19, at about 5:30 p.m. while documenting a joint demolition exercise in the Lugbe Federal Housing Estate area of Abuja.
According to the coalition, the journalist encountered the operation involving about four Hilux patrol vans bearing the inscription “Lugbe Police Division” and VGN members when he brought out his mobile phone to document the exercise.
It alleged that a police officer forcibly seized Ogwu’s phone despite his repeated identification as a journalist and attempts to speak with the team leader.
The coalition said police officers later demanded that Ogwu enter a patrol van but allegedly flogged him with an electric cable on the instruction of the officer in charge after he refused, insisting that he was a journalist and not a criminal.
CWPPF further alleged that after his phone was returned and he was asked to leave, Ogwu walked about 100 metres away to record a video of the incident and send a distress message to his media organisation.
The officers allegedly pursued him, dragged him back to the demolition site and subjected him to another round of flogging.
The coalition claimed that the officer in charge ordered the second assault, declaring that the first beating “was not enough.”
CWPPF said the alleged assault left Ogwu physically injured and his mobile phone severely damaged before passersby intervened and urged him to leave for his safety.
The group described the incident as an unacceptable act of brutality and lawlessness, stressing that documenting public operations conducted by state agents was a constitutionally protected right.
“Journalism is not a crime,” the coalition said, adding that the attack contradicted assurances by police authorities on respect for human rights and press freedom.
CWPPF also demanded full compensation for Ogwu’s damaged mobile phone, payment of all medical expenses arising from the alleged assault and a formal public apology to the journalist and the management of Pinnacle Daily.
READ ALSO: Two Women Break Decades of Silence, Accuse Living Christ Mission Founder of Sexual Assault
After 14 Years of Waiting, Couple Names Newborn Son Igiagbe in Honour of Senator Joseph Ikpea
The coalition further called on police divisions across the FCT to immediately stop the intimidation, harassment and physical assault of journalists covering public events.
CWPPF said it would continue to advocate a safe and free environment for journalists to carry out their constitutional and professional responsibilities without fear of intimidation, harassment or retaliation.
About The Author
